1288619 ⑴ 玖、發明說明 【發明所屬之技術領域】 本發明關於一種熱成形可套式容器，尤關於諸如可與 類似者套在一起的諸如杯子或杯式物品的容器構造；本發 明較佳實施例特別關於熱成形可套式容器的改良可抓握性 及結構完整性。 【先前技術】 數十年來，消費者在工作地點、公共場所諸如公園、 海灘、露營區等等以及在家中使用可抛棄式杯子逐漸增加 ，一般而言，由發泡材料例如Styrofoam (註冊商標）以 及絕緣紙製成的可抛棄式杯子一度爲玻璃或可重覆使用塑 膠容器之其他選擇。然而近年來，熱成形塑膠模製容器已 取代工業中對環境較不佳的發泡物品，進一步言之，使用 可套合熱成形容器有增加之趨勢，這些熱成形物品在容納 冷流體時亦相當有用。 對製造者而言，熱塑性材料特別有好處，因爲材料不 需昂貴發泡劑而且不需表面層合，二者皆造成製程較少階 段，另外，對消費者而言，由這些材料構成的容器一般比 紙容器更耐用，一般爲單片構造，不貴且可回收。 熱成形開始是厚度約爲8_ 100 mil的材料（諸如聚丙 烯、聚酯、或聚苯乙烯）薄片或板’視要製造的容器尺寸 而定，杯子及類似物典型上是由預熱成形厚度約爲3 0 -60 mil的塑膠片製成，但成品在熱成形後可較薄。片或板 -5- (2) 1288619 可加熱到適合熱成形的溫度，對上述材料而言約爲1 1 0 °C -2 0 0 °C，之後被進給到一傳統成形機，在施加正及/或 負氣壓狀況下進行程序，當利用在物品一側的真空壓力及 /或在材料相對表面的正壓將塑膠材料吸入模內時，一模 腔被用來給予薄壁容器一特別成形構造，容器的成形構造 可爲裝飾性，但一般有一特定實用性，例如在其他用途外 構造成用於抓握及成形用於可套合性，一般的熱成形作業 加工時間典型爲1 一 2 0秒。 許多杯子和容器設計存在的一項缺點爲圓形設計不利 抓握，這是所有杯子設計碰到的問題，特別是大容積杯子 ，使用者往往得施加比所需抓握力大之力，以將對以手指 圍繞而言太大的杯子穩定。另外，冷飮往往造成杯子外側 凝結，造成滑手，尤其是平滑塑膠杯，雖然滑手是本身問 題，對於缺乏穩定抓握表面的杯子而言更加惡化。環狀肋 可增加杯子與使用者手之間的摩擦以減輕滑手，但對圓形 設計抓握問題並無助益。因此需要提供一種更符合人體工 學且有穩定抓握表面的熱成形塑膠杯（尤其是大容積杯子 )同時減輕杯子外側因冷凝產生滑手問題之需求。 熱成形塑膠可套合容器的另一個問題是結構完整性， 薄壁熱成形杯子的側壁在被使用者抓握時往往彎曲且向內 偏，此種偏折會限制容器容積，造成令人不快的流體外溢 ，此外，側壁偏折會讓容器更難以抓握，而且可能破裂。 此問題的解決方式係提供較厚材料構造，但生產成本增加 ，另外，較厚構造易使套合後的容器堆疊高度增加，這些 -6- (3) 12886191288619 (1) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoformable wrap-around container, and more particularly to a container construction such as a cup or cup item that can be nested with a similar person; In particular, it relates to improved grip and structural integrity of thermoformable collapsible containers. [Prior Art] For decades, consumers have gradually increased the use of disposable cups at work places, public places such as parks, beaches, camping areas, etc., and at home, in general, by foaming materials such as Styrofoam (registered trademark). And the disposable cup made of insulating paper is once the choice of glass or reusable plastic containers. However, in recent years, thermoformed plastic molded containers have replaced foaming articles that are less environmentally friendly in the industry. Furthermore, the use of collapsible thermoformed containers has increased, and these thermoformed articles also contain cold fluids. Quite useful. Thermoplastic materials are particularly advantageous for the manufacturer because the material does not require expensive blowing agents and does not require surface lamination, both of which result in fewer stages of the process. In addition, for consumers, containers made of these materials Generally more durable than paper containers, generally monolithic construction, inexpensive and recyclable. The thermoforming begins with a sheet of material (such as polypropylene, polyester, or polystyrene) having a thickness of about 8 to 100 mils, or a sheet depending on the size of the container to be manufactured. The cup and the like are typically formed by preheating thickness. Made of plastic sheet of about 30-60 mil, but the finished product can be thinner after thermoforming. Sheet or plate -5 - (2) 1288619 can be heated to a temperature suitable for thermoforming, from about 1 10 °C to 200 °C for the above materials, and then fed to a conventional forming machine where applied Procedures are performed under positive and/or negative air pressure conditions. When using a vacuum pressure on one side of the article and/or a positive pressure on the opposite surface of the material to draw the plastic material into the mold, a cavity is used to give the thin-walled container a special The forming structure, the forming structure of the container may be decorative, but generally has a specific utility, for example, for other purposes, for gripping and forming for the fit, the typical hot forming operation time is typically 1 20 seconds. One of the disadvantages of many cup and container designs is that the circular design is unfavorable for gripping. This is a problem encountered in all cup designs, especially for large volume cups. Users often have to exert more force than needed to Stable to a cup that is too big for a finger to surround. In addition, cold heading tends to cause condensation on the outside of the cup, causing the slipper, especially a smooth plastic cup, although the slipper is a problem of its own, which is worse for cups that lack a stable grip surface. The annular ribs increase the friction between the cup and the user's hand to reduce the slippery hand, but do not contribute to the circular design grip problem. There is therefore a need to provide a more ergonomic and stable gripping surface of a thermoformed plastic cup (especially a large volume cup) while reducing the need for a slippery hand on the outside of the cup due to condensation. Another problem with thermoformed plastic nestable containers is structural integrity. The sidewalls of thin-walled thermoformed cups tend to bend and deflect inward when grasped by the user. Such deflection can limit container volume and cause unpleasantness. The fluid overflows and, in addition, the side wall deflection makes the container more difficult to grip and may break. The solution to this problem is to provide a thicker material construction, but the production cost is increased. In addition, the thicker structure tends to increase the stack height of the assembled container. These -6-(3) 1288619
現象限制了容器在受限區域的可套合數目，而且套合的容 器分開不易。已知另外一種較有效的方式且業界有使用者 係在側壁中設置環狀肋及/或肩部，其可明顯增加側壁周 圍區域的硬度，在側壁中設置增強硬度特徵避免了使用較 厚側壁的問題，但是使用肋和肩部可增加的強度有限，尤 其是在一般被抓握的側壁中間區域。因此有增加熱成形容 器側壁強度同時避免使用較厚材料之需求。 本發明解決上述二問題，其主要藉由在側壁中提供弧 形縱向凹部，這些凹部提供人體工學及有效抓握表面並增 加結構完整性，然而，凹部會產生容器正確套合問題，其 會伸縮，因爲缺乏完全旋轉對稱，由是存在著一種確保側 壁有凹部的容器正確套合之需求。The phenomenon limits the number of containers that can be nested in a restricted area, and the nested containers are not easily separated. Another more efficient way is known and there are users in the industry who provide annular ribs and/or shoulders in the side walls, which can significantly increase the hardness of the area around the side walls, and the provision of reinforced hardness features in the side walls avoids the use of thicker side walls. The problem, but the use of ribs and shoulders can increase the strength, especially in the middle of the generally grasped side wall. There is therefore a need to increase the sidewall strength of the thermoformed container while avoiding the use of thicker materials. The present invention addresses the above two problems by providing arcuate longitudinal recesses in the side walls that provide ergonomics and effective gripping of the surface and increased structural integrity. However, the recesses create a correct fit of the container, which would Stretching, because of the lack of full rotational symmetry, there is a need to ensure that the container with the recess in the side wall is properly nested.
另外，側壁有凹部的容器在製造時可能一起摩擦，在 某些製程中被機械沿線輸送時杯子往往在內部互相堆疊’ 杯子可能在移動中轉動，因而摩擦堆疊在其上方或下方的 杯子，摩擦會對杯子產生磨損，在製造側壁有凹部的容器 時是一項該注意之處，由是存在著製造解決杯子會因移動 和轉動引致摩擦問題之需求。 本發明提供一已認知到的問題之人體工學解決之道’ 本發明欲提供一種薄壁熱成形容器的適當成形構造。 【發明內容】 一種側壁具結構完整性的熱成形容器被揭示，容器— 般包括由一環緣界定的一開口頂部、一基部、以及在頂部 (4) 1288619 與基部之間延伸的一側壁’側壁包括數個增加結構完整性 以及協助抓握和套合的特徵。這些特徵包括二弧形縱向凹 部、位於凹部與基部之間的一環狀肩部、以及在環狀肩部 與基部之間延伸的一下部。一般言之’凹部末端在環狀肩 部，環狀肩部之特徵在於對齊凹部的二弧形部，而下部的 特徵在於對齊凹部的二斜面部。側壁亦可有至少二環狀肋 ，其特徵在於實質上對齊凹部的二彎曲部。 依據本發明的一觀點，側壁比無凹部的實質相似側壁 有可量測之強度比重量比値增加。依據本發明的另一觀點 ，環狀肩部包括在容器被使用者握住時使容器穩定之裝置 。依據本發明的又一觀點，更包括確保容器與第二個相同 容器正確套合的裝置，其中一種確保正確套合的裝置係利 用在側壁內表面的凸台，當容器疊在一起時，凸台位於側 壁外表面的弧形部。 在較佳實施例之外亦揭示並請求其他替代實施例，在 其中一替代實施例中，環狀肩部無弧形部，而且基部、下 部、和環狀肩部係實質上橢圓形。在另一替代實施例中， 側壁有較多數目的凹部，一般是1 - 2 0個，最好是2 — 1 2 個。環狀肩部的弧形部、環狀肋的彎曲部、或下部的斜面 部數目一般係等於側壁凹部數目。 【實施方式】 本發明的實施例可有許多不同形式，本文詳細描述本 發明較佳實施例，但請了解本文係爲本發明原理範例，並 -8- (5) 1288619 非用以將本發明寬廣觀點限制在圖示實施例。 先參閱所附圖1 - 2 7可立即更了解本發明，所揭示的 較佳容器在以下揭示及圖中皆以1 〇標示，其他元件在通 篇說明書和圖示中以一致標號類似地標示，同時本發明係 特別設計用於熱成形杯子，由其他製程製造的杯子以及其 他型式的杯子亦能利用及受益於所揭示發明。 如圖1 一 9所示，容器一般爲熱成形杯子1 〇，包括由 一環緣1 4界定的一開口頂部1 2、一基部1 6、以及在頂部 1 2與基部1 6之間延伸的一側壁1 8。側壁1 8有至少一凹 部20和位於凹部20與基部1 6之間的一環狀肩部22，而 環狀肩部2 2有至少一弧形部2 3，杯子1 0最好亦包括至 少一環肋2 4以及在環狀肩部2 2與基部1 6之間的一下部 26，下部26有對齊凹部20的至少一斜面部27。 杯子1 〇頂部1 2 —般被一環緣1 4界定成一圓形開口 1 3，如圖1和4所示，緣1 4最好爲較厚且朝杯子1 〇外側 捲，其爲熱成形飮料杯的共同特徵。捲緣1 4形成與使用 者嘴巴接觸的較平滑表面，並爲杯子1 0頂部1 2增加強度 和硬度。雖然較佳爲一捲緣1 4，依據本發明，亦可使用 其他已知之緣1 4。 如圖5和8所示，基部1 6係連接到側壁1 8下部26 ，且一般爲有斜緣30且中央有一圓形凹部32的圓盤。基 部1 6形狀不一定爲圓形，因爲其他多種形狀亦能提供有 效作用，另外’凹部3 2不一定爲圓形，或者根本不需要 ，請注意，頂部1 2形狀不需與基部1 6相同，杯子1 〇 — -9 - (6) 1288619 貫施例中，基部1 6爲橢圓形，而頂部1 2爲圓形。在一較 佳實施例中，基部1 6有對應側壁1 8下部26的斜面部27 之斜緣3 2 (稍後討論）。斜緣3 0最好是直的，如圖26 和27所示，或有其他形狀，但其形狀一般取決於下部26 斜面部2 7的形狀。在基部1 6中央的凹部3 2增加基部1 6 硬度，並提供更穩固、平衡的表面以靠在另一表面上，基 部1 0係在其整個周圍連接到側壁1 8，形成一基部肩部3 4 〇 側壁1 8將頂部12和基部1 6連結，在頂部12與基部 1 6之間延伸，並形成容器容積，側壁1 8 —般爲圓柱形， 如圖1 - 7所示，而且，由於開口 1 3 一般大於基部1 6，側 壁1 8從頂部1 2到底部1 6變細，由側壁1 8形成的圓柱直 徑靠近頂部1 2處較大，在靠近基部1 6時減小，形成一截 錐狀’然而，如下所述’側壁1 8下部2 6最好相對於側壁 1 8其餘部分有相反變細。側壁丨8形狀大抵由頂部1 2和 基部1 6形狀和尺寸決定，由是，側壁i 8可有其他多種尺 寸的其中一種，側壁1 8有數個特徵，包括一或多個凹部 2 0、一環狀肩部2 2、將環狀肩部2 2連接到基部1 6的一 下部26、以及一或多個環狀肋24，28。 或者，側壁1 8可包含一上肩部4 6，形成在上肩部4 6 與容器頂部1 2之間延伸的一上部48，上部48最好相對 於側壁1 8其餘部分有相反變細，如圖24所示，換言之， 上部48在上肩部46直徑大於杯子1〇頂部12。上部48 相反變細提供多個杯子1 0堆疊之裝置，如圖24所示，在 -10- (7) 1288619 此實施例中，下部26不需相反變細，而且可完全沒有僅 出現在弧形部2 3下方。In addition, containers with recessed walls on the side walls may be rubbed together during manufacture, and the cups tend to stack one on top of each other when transported mechanically along certain processes. 'The cup may rotate during movement, thus rubbing the cups stacked above or below it, rubbing Wear of the cup is a concern when manufacturing a container with a recess in the side wall. There is a need to create a solution to the friction problem caused by the movement and rotation of the cup. The present invention provides an ergonomic solution to the recognized problems. The present invention is intended to provide a suitably shaped configuration of a thin-walled thermoformed container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A thermoformed container having structural integrity of a side wall is disclosed. The container generally includes an open top defined by a rim, a base, and a side wall 'side wall extending between the top (4) 1288619 and the base. Includes several features that increase structural integrity and assist in gripping and nesting. These features include a two-curved longitudinal recess, an annular shoulder between the recess and the base, and a lower portion extending between the annular shoulder and the base. In general, the end of the recess is at the annular shoulder, the annular shoulder is characterized by the alignment of the two arcuate portions of the recess, and the lower portion is characterized by the slanted faces of the aligned recess. The side wall may also have at least two annular ribs characterized by substantially aligning the two curved portions of the recess. According to one aspect of the invention, the sidewall has a measurable strength to weight ratio 値 that is greater than the substantially similar sidewall of the non-recessed portion. According to another aspect of the invention, the annular shoulder includes means for stabilizing the container when the container is held by the user. According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a device for ensuring proper fitting of the container with the second identical container, wherein a means for ensuring proper nesting utilizes a boss on the inner surface of the side wall, convex when the container is stacked The table is located at an arcuate portion of the outer surface of the side wall. Other alternative embodiments are also disclosed and claimed in addition to the preferred embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the annular shoulder has no arcuate portion and the base, lower portion, and annular shoulder are substantially elliptical. In another alternative embodiment, the sidewalls have a greater number of recesses, typically from 1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 12. The number of arcuate portions of the annular shoulder, the curved portion of the annular rib, or the lower bevel portion is generally equal to the number of side wall recesses. [Embodiment] The embodiments of the present invention may have many different forms, and the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein, but it is understood that the present invention is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and 8-(5) 1288619 is not used to A broad perspective is limited to the illustrated embodiment. The invention will be immediately more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings 1 - 2-7, which are disclosed in the following disclosure and in the drawings, the other components are similarly labeled by the same reference numerals throughout the specification and the drawings. While the present invention is specifically designed for thermoforming cups, cups made by other processes, as well as other types of cups, can also utilize and benefit from the disclosed invention. As shown in Figures 1-9, the container is generally a thermoformed cup 1 〇 comprising an open top portion 1-2 defined by a rim 14 and a base portion 16 and a portion extending between the top portion 1 2 and the base portion 16 Side wall 18. The side wall 18 has at least one recess 20 and an annular shoulder 22 between the recess 20 and the base 116, and the annular shoulder 22 has at least one curved portion 23, and the cup 10 preferably also includes at least A ring rib 2 4 and a lower portion 26 between the annular shoulder portion 2 2 and the base portion 16 have at least one slope portion 27 aligned with the recess portion 20. The cup 1 〇 top 1 2 is generally defined by a rim 14 as a circular opening 13 . As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the rim 14 is preferably thicker and rolled toward the outer side of the cup 1 , which is a thermoformed dip. The common characteristics of the cup. The rolled edge 14 forms a smoother surface that contacts the mouth of the user and adds strength and stiffness to the top 1 2 of the cup 10. Although a roll edge 14 is preferred, other known edges 14 may be used in accordance with the present invention. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the base 16 is attached to the lower portion 26 of the side wall 18 and is generally a disc having a beveled edge 30 and having a circular recess 32 in the center. The shape of the base portion 16 is not necessarily circular, because other shapes can also provide an effective effect. In addition, the 'recess 3 2 is not necessarily circular, or is not required at all. Please note that the shape of the top 12 does not need to be the same as the base 16 , cup 1 〇 - -9 - (6) 1288619 In the example, the base 16 is elliptical, and the top 12 is circular. In a preferred embodiment, the base 16 has a beveled edge 3 2 (discussed later) corresponding to the beveled portion 27 of the lower portion 26 of the side wall 18. The beveled edge 30 is preferably straight, as shown in Figures 26 and 27, or has other shapes, but its shape generally depends on the shape of the lower portion 26 of the lower portion 26. The recess 3 2 in the center of the base portion 16 increases the hardness of the base portion 16 and provides a more stable, balanced surface against the other surface, the base 10 being attached to the side wall 18 throughout its circumference to form a base shoulder 3 4 〇 sidewall 18 joins the top 12 and the base 16 , extends between the top 12 and the base 16 , and forms a container volume, the side wall 18 is generally cylindrical, as shown in Figure 7-1, and Since the opening 13 is generally larger than the base portion 16, the side wall 18 is tapered from the top portion 1 2 to the bottom portion 16. The diameter of the cylinder formed by the side wall 18 is larger near the top portion 12 and decreases as it approaches the base portion 16. A truncated cone shape 'however, as described below, the lower portion 26 of the side wall 18 preferably has an opposite thickness with respect to the remainder of the side wall 18. The shape of the side wall 丨 8 is largely determined by the shape and size of the top portion 1 2 and the base portion 16. Thus, the side wall i 8 can have one of a variety of other sizes, and the side wall 18 has several features, including one or more recesses 20, one. The annular shoulder 2 2 connects the annular shoulder 22 to the lower portion 26 of the base 16 and one or more annular ribs 24, 28. Alternatively, the side wall 18 may include an upper shoulder portion 46 formed in an upper portion 48 extending between the upper shoulder portion 46 and the container top portion 1 2, the upper portion 48 preferably being tapered relative to the remainder of the side wall portion 18. As shown in Fig. 24, in other words, the upper portion 48 has a larger diameter at the upper shoulder portion 46 than the cup top portion 12. The upper portion 48 is tapered to provide a plurality of cup 10 stacking devices, as shown in Fig. 24, in the case of -10 (7) 1288619, the lower portion 26 does not need to be tapered, and may not appear only in the arc at all. Below the shape 2 3 .
在較佳實施例中，如圖1 一 9所示，側壁1 8有二凹部 20，這些凹部2 0爲縱向，亦即垂直尺寸（垂直於基部1 6 )大於圓周尺寸，這些凹部20最好爲弧形，朝向頂部1 2 和底部的圓周較大，中間較小，另外，較佳凹部20爲平 滑內凹，內彎朝向杯子1 0中心，凹部2 0凹陷最好在靠近 凹部20頂端處比側壁1 8其餘部分深，在各凹部中形成一 低處21，如圖7所示，凹部2 0在靠近杯子1 0頂部12處 開始，末端最好在環狀肩部2 2處。In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, the side wall 18 has two recesses 20, and the recesses 20 are longitudinal, that is, the vertical dimension (perpendicular to the base 16) is larger than the circumferential dimension, and these recesses 20 are preferably In the shape of an arc, the circumference toward the top portion 1 2 and the bottom portion is larger and the middle portion is smaller. Further, it is preferable that the concave portion 20 is a smooth concave portion, the inner curved portion faces the center of the cup 10, and the concave portion 20 is preferably recessed near the top end of the concave portion 20. Deeper than the remainder of the side wall 18, a lower portion 21 is formed in each recess. As shown in Figure 7, the recess 20 begins near the top 12 of the cup 10 and the end is preferably at the annular shoulder 22.
雖然上述特徵爲較佳，凹部20可爲多種不同形狀中 的任何一種，舉例言之，凹部20最佳爲縱向弧形，但這 些特徵並非必須，而且，凹部20凹陷程度或平滑度可變 化，而且不需低處21，或者，凹部20不需內凹，在靠近 凹部20邊緣處深凹且有稍微外凸曲線。凹部20表面可有 脊或突起（諸如圖案文字）以加強抓握，而非平滑。另外 ，凹部20可在側壁1 8任何地方，不一定末端在環狀肩部 22，凹部20可完全在環狀肩部22上方，或通過環狀肩部 2 2並延伸到基部1 6。最後，杯子1 0的凹部2 0數目可爲 任意，在上述討論實施例中，杯子1 0有多達2 0個或更多 個凹部20，這些凹部20有雙重目的，提供使用者符合人 體工學抓握表面，以及如下討論的明顯增加側壁1 8強度 和硬度。 環狀肩部2 2存在於凹部2 0和基部16之間，如圖2 -11 - (8) 1288619 ，5，和8所示，環狀肩部2 2 —般爲圓形’在凹部2 Ο 近的弧形部23除外。或者，環狀肩部22可有其他形狀 諸如一實施例中之橢圓形。凹部20最好整個在環狀肩 22相反側如同基部1 6，而且凹部20末端在環狀肩部 ，換言之，凹部2 0僅在環狀肩部2 2 一側’且凹部2 0 部在凹部20與環狀肩部22接觸點。然而，如上所述’ 部20可通過環狀肩部22，使得肩部22仍視爲在凹部 與基部1 6之間延伸，只要凹部20 —部分在肩部22相 於基部1 6的一側。 在圖1 — 9所示杯子1 0中，肩部22包括對齊二凹 20的二弧形部23，肩部22可包含任何數目的弧形部 ，而且最好肩部22對應每一凹部20有一弧形部23。 一替代實施例中，如下所述，肩部22並無弧形部2 3， 形部23最好平滑彎曲，在各弧形部23與環狀肩部22 餘部分之間有一尖過渡部3 6，如圖1，2，和8所示。 而，此並非主要特徵，舉例言之，圖1 1和1 3中所示弧 部23有一尖過渡區36而且形狀爲多邊形，而圖26和 中所示弧形部2 3有平滑過渡區3 6以及平滑彎曲形狀。 形部23亦可爲方形、矩形或達到文中所述功能的任何 他形狀。另外，弧形部23不需對齊凹部，而且可在環 肩部22其他地方，例如從凹部20處繞側壁1 8圓周90 之處。最後，環狀肩部22最好被側壁18下部26完全 基部1 6隔開，然而，環狀肩部2 2可在側壁1 8底部， 接將側壁1 8連接到基部1 6，下部2 6則整個沒有或是 附 部 22 端 凹 20 反 部 23 在 弧 其 然 形 27 弧 其 狀 度 與 直 僅 (9) 1288619 間斷存在於環狀肩部2 2上升形成弧形部2 3之處’如圖 25所示，換言之，環狀肩部22可爲整個或部分鄰接將側 壁1 8連接到基部1 6的基部肩部3 4。 圖1 一 9中所示杯子1 〇側壁1 8有使環狀肩部22與基 部16分隔的一下部26 ’下部26包括對齊凹部20的二斜 面部27，下部26 —般爲環狀或圓柱狀，且最好相對於側 壁1 8其餘部分有相反變細或呈喇叭狀，一般爲多個杯子 10提供套合裝置，換言之’下部26靠近環狀肩部22之 直徑稍小於在基部1 6處之直徑。圖5和8中所示一般爲 圓形，但下部2 6可有不同形狀，在一實施例中，下部 1 26爲橢圓形。下部26典型上比側壁1 8其餘部分更硬， 因爲環狀肩部22和基部肩部34爲下部26增加強度。最 後，如上所述及如圖2 5所示，下部2 6可完全沒有或僅出 現在環狀肩部22弧形部23下方，若環狀肩部22整個或 部分鄰接基部肩部3 4的話。 下部2 6最好有在環狀肩部2 2弧形部2 3以及凹部2 0 附近且與之對齊的二斜面部2 7，斜面部2 7可有任何數目 ，或完全無斜面部2 7，但最好下部2 6對應各凹部2 0有 一斜面部2 7。斜面部2 7最好從基部延伸到環狀肩部2 2， 但斜面部2 7可僅延伸到基部1 6與環狀肩部2 2之間距離 的一部分。在較佳容器中，斜面部2 7係內凹彎曲，如圖 1和8所示，但這並非主要特徵，舉例言之，斜面部27 可爲平坦’如圖26和27所示，或是外凸彎曲，或可有其 他形式，諸如多邊形。或者，基部和下部可爲橢圓形以有 -13- (10) 1288619 效地形成斜面部而無任何鈍角。最後，若弧形 對齊凹部20，斜面部27可對齊弧形部23或 齊二者。 杯子1 0最好有一堆疊肩部，一般用以提 10套合之用，使用各種堆疊肩部在熱成形杯 係非常習知，堆疊肩部可在多種方式提供多個 疊裝置，藉由在下方杯子10施力對套合在下2 的上方杯子1 0提供支撐之處提供點接觸，其 疊肩部形成的杯子直徑快速變化造成上方杯子 42與下方杯子10內表面40之間的點接觸可 一杯堆疊肩部頂部1 2，基部1 6，或另一杯子 ，提供直接垂直支撐。或者，點接觸可利用二 壁1 8之間的摩擦力提供支撐，而非直接支撐。 在較佳實施例中，環狀肩部22功能爲一 此特徵見於例如圖23，其中當一杯2 1 0套合 同杯子2 1 0時，基部2 1 6 —部分位於環狀肩部 240。如圖所示，下部226的相反變細有助於 的堆疊裝置，其係使基部2 1 6直徑大於環狀肩 者，杯子10可有位於他處的堆疊肩部，如同 。堆疊肩部可靠近杯子1 0頂部1 2，如圖2 4 部46作用爲堆疊肩部。雖然圖24中所示杯子 反變細的上部4 8，有助於提供一堆疊裝置，上 相反變細來有效地作用。使用堆疊肩部以提供 子1 〇堆疊裝置的其他方法在業界係屬習知。 部2 3並未 Π部2 0或對 供多個杯子 子製造技術 套合杯子堆 J杯子1 0內 完成係因堆 1 0外表面 形成於例如 的堆疊肩部 杯子1 0側 堆疊肩部， 在第二個相 222內表面 提供更有效 部222 ，或 業界已知者 所示，上肩 1 〇包含相 部4 8不需 多個套合杯 -14- (11) 1288619 側壁1 8中有多個環狀肋2 4，2 8以增加強度，如圖1 一 3所示，在較佳實施例中，側壁1 8有三個環狀肋2 4， 2 8 :兩個靠近頂部1 2間隔小的肋2 8以及幾在凹部2 0頂 端的一個中央肋24，中央肋24最好包括對齊凹部20的 二彎曲部2 5，若出現不同數目的凹部2 0，肋2 4最好對應 各凹部2 0有一彎曲部2 5，或者，不一定有彎曲部2 5，尤 其是肋2 4位置靠近杯子1 0頂部1 2但並未繞凹部2 0頂端 彎曲。在其他實施例中，可有更多或較少的肋2 4，2 8。 如圖6和7所不’側壁1 8有—內表面4 0和一*外表面 42，上述杯子10元件大多位於外表面42，內表面40包 括一凸台44，其尺寸配合弧形部23，使得當第二個容器 置於第一個容器內時，凸台44組裝在第二個相同容器的 弧形部23內。在薄壁熱成形杯子1 〇中，諸如較佳實施例 ’當側壁1 8彎曲形成弧形部23時，凸台44係形成在側 壁1 8內表面4 0的相反突起，由是，在較佳實施例中，弧 形部23和凸台44係在幾乎相同尺寸下容易地成形，在厚 壁容器中，凸台44可爲與弧形部23分開的構造。 使凸台44和弧形部23尺寸配合係確保二杯子1〇正 確套合的一種裝置，這種確保正確套合的裝置係熱成形杯 子工業相當重要者’標準圓柱形熱成形杯子套合容易係因 它們皆可旋轉地對稱，亦即不管杯子如何繞一中央縱軸轉 動’總是看起來一樣。另外，杯子有不對稱側壁特徵者， 諸如垂直肋、凹部、或壓花，套合將很容易，若不對稱特 徵深度小於二套合杯子之間的空氣間隙。然而，增加更深 -15- (12) 1288619 的凹部20摧毀此旋轉對稱性，而且杯子i ο隨意 凹部2 0不會自然地彼此對齊，造成套合困難，因 確保正確套合裝置，使疊在一堆的所有杯子1〇緊 地套合在一起。使凸台44與弧形部23尺寸配合達 需求，其係在將杯子1 0疊在一下方杯子1 0時將上 1 0 ''鎖緊〃定位，防止上方杯子1 0旋轉因而變得 。爲達成此功能，僅需單一凸台44和單一弧形部 加凸台44和弧形部23數目會增加套合位置數目， 等間隔地沿著側壁1 8圓周設置的話，更增強杯子 的套合。 另一種確保正確套合的裝置係使基部1 1 6、下 、以及環狀肩部22形成爲橢圓形，而非圓形，如Ϊ 示。不同於最佳旋轉對稱的圓形，橢圓不會在同一 圓上對稱座落，因此，當具橢圓形底部的杯子110 ，橢圓形狀增加各杯子1 1 0對稱對齊下一個杯子1 爲杯子1 1 0不會正確地組裝在一起，除非它們實質 對齊。然而使用橢圓形基部1 1 6比使用弧形部2 3 44在確保正確套合時較不有效，其他因素可能會 中意使用橢圓形基部1 1 6。 第三種確保正確套合的裝置係使用更多個凹部 其係連續地間隔分布在側壁2 1 8外表面2 4 2，突伸 2 10的深度比較佳實施例的凹部220深，如圖20-示，側壁2】8內表面240上的凹部220之突起形成 ，當杯子210疊在一起時，脊24 3將位於凹部220 :疊時， 此需要 緊對稱 .成此一 方杯子 不對齊 23，增 若其係 1 〇之間 部126 Ε 15所 旋轉橢 堆疊時 10，因 上彼此 和凸台 令人較 220， 到杯子 - 23所 ，脊 243 內，如 -16- (13) 1288619 圖23所示。在側壁21 8圓周等間隔設置的多個凹部220 提供正確套合的多個不同位置，如此，也許需要少許人爲 操作將杯子210正確套合。不同於前兩個正確套合裝置中 ''迫使〃杯子到少數正確套合位置的其中一者，第三種裝 置藉由提供杯子2 1 0將正確套合的多個不同位置而'、允許 〃杯子2 1 0正確套合，但其他確保正確套合的裝置仍存在 〇 本發明有著在製造期間限制杯子1 0活動以及磨損的 傳統優點，如上所述，在製造期間杯子1 0的動作及轉動 可能造成杯子1 0彼此摩擦，確保正確套合的裝置亦限制 杯子1 0在製造期間在彼此內部轉動，如同杯子1 〇疊在一 起做' 商業或私人用途時。一旦杯子1 0、、鎖〃在正確套合 位置，它們不會在彼此內部轉動或一起摩擦，由是，確保 正確套合的裝置在製造具縱向凹部20的熱成形杯子10時 提供額外的好處。 側壁1 8的許多特徵增加側壁丨8強度和硬度，讓側壁 1 8能做得更薄，因而有降低重量和成本的風險。使用加 厚捲緣14、環狀肋24，28、以及環狀肩部22來增加強度 和硬度在業界爲習知，本發明經由使用側壁1 8中的凹部 2 0以及這些已知裝置來達到更高強度和硬度，縱向凹部 2 0藉由打政外力（此例中爲使用者之手）傳到側壁1 $的 能量而協助增加硬度，藉由打散被傳遞的能量並防止流經 側壁1 8，凹部2 0限制側壁1 8、、給予〃力回應的面積，因 而增加強度和硬度。經發現縱向凹部20，諸如本發明所 •17- (14) 1288619 使用者’如果是內凹弧形成形的話可更增加強度，由是， 較佳杯子1 0的縱向凹部2 0係內凹弧形成形。 強度和硬度增加會抵抗容器內偏，內偏會限制容器容 積而造成令人不快的流體外流，在展現本發明的強度及結 構完整性增加以及其實施例時，進行了內壁1 8偏折分析 並與標準圓形熱成形杯子相比，這些容器在熱塑厚度上的 差異可忽略不計，而且一般估計係1 0 — 4 0 m i 1。分析結果 係經由熱成形容器界標準化程序而得，此程序在後文中加 以說明，其結果則見表I和Π。 此標準化程序所用較佳材料包括（1 )數個標準圓形 熱成形杯子，（2 )數個文中本發明較佳實施例所述之具 有縱向凹部 20之杯子，（3 ) Chatillon (註冊商標） DFGS數位力計，（4) Chatillon (註冊商標）TCD-200拉 伸及壓縮測試器，（5 )容器硬度夾具，以及（6 ) Chatillon (註冊商標）AutoTest (商標）軟體。 此標準化程序涉及設備設定及分析，特別言之，（1 )將容器硬度夾具水平地組裝在壓縮測試器上，（2 )對 齊容器安裝夾具，以允許在容器高度三分之二處（在使用 時最常抓握處）測試偏折，（3 )將適當儀器歸零，（4 ) 設定每四分之一英吋的偏折限制，以及（5 )設定偏折設 備的行進速度。另外，分析側壁1 8偏折包括（1 )將第一 個樣置入容器安裝夾具中，（2 )使力計緩緩下降到樣品 上，以及（3 )當樣品側壁1 8偏折四分之一英吋（偏折限 制）時，讀取並紀錄力計之最大力値。此程序在必要時可 -18- (15) 1288619 M It以利分析和硏究，請注意文中所述測試係對額定容量 爲18盘司的熱成形杯子進行，不同尺寸的容器可以不同 力式測試’其他尺寸相同的容器預期有類似結果。 表1包括在A點（圖3 )測試偏折所得數據，點A係 在側壁18空處，其在係杯子10高度三分之二處且在二凹 部20之間’、、平均容器重量〃爲兩組容器均重量，類似 地’ A平均容器力"爲使容器側壁1 8偏折四分之一英吋 的平均力’此二量決定、、比値〃，即平均容器力除以平均 容器重量’最後，、、比値改變〃示出本發明達成的力/重 量比値之增進。 表I : 側壁上的A點 容器型式 平均容器重量 平均容器力 比値 比値變化 標準 0.4 6 2盎司 1 6.2盘司 3 5.1 N/A 實施例 0.473盎司 1 7.4盘司 36.8 1 .7 此數據反應本發明杯子1 0側壁1 8本體結構完整性的 明顯改良，本發明在力/重量比値方面與標準杯子相比增 加了 4.8%。 (1.7-3 5.1 ) X 1 00 % =4.8% 因此，使用所揭示構造的容器，包括替代實施例，在 側壁1 8任何點一般增加強度和結構完整性，強度增加可 從少許增加（3 - 4 % )到大幅增加，視杯子1 〇特定特徵 (尤其是凹部2 0數目、尺寸、位置、和深度）以及測試 -19- (16) . 1288619 點而定。 . 最顯著的增加在凹部20本身，表II爲在B點（圖2 )測試偏折的數據，點B在側壁1 8其中一縱向凹部2 0中 ，其在杯子1 〇高度三分之二處且在凹部2 0中心線上，側 壁1 8在凹部2 0的結構完整性更重要，因爲杯子1 〇設計 - 計成使用者在抓握杯子1 〇時係在凹部2 0施壓。 表II:側壁上的B點 · 容器型式 平均容器重量 平均容器力 比値 比値變化 標準 0.462盎司 16.3盎司 35.3 N/A 實施例 0.473盎司 24.0盎司 5 0.7 15.4 此數據反應本發明結構完整性的明顯改良，本發明及 其實施例在結構完整性有顯著增進，因爲力/重量比値增 加了 4 3 · 6 %。 (15.4^35.3 ) xlOO% = 43.6% 因此，使用所揭示構造的容器，包括替代實施例，在 凹部2 0增加強度和結構完整性，強度增加可從少許到大 幅，視側壁1 8特徵（尤其是凹部20特徵）而定。 凹部2 0另一優點爲爲使用者提供符合人體工學抓握 表面以利抓握杯子1 〇，其爲優於更圓形的計，凹部2 0提 供的曲線表面提供多個供手舒適容置之位置，另外，凹部 20提升指尖抓握效果，在指尖與杯子1 0之間有最小接觸 面積，當杯子1 〇內裝了令人不舒服的冷飮時，在限制杯 -20- (17) 1288619 子1 〇與使用者手之間的熱傳時有其好處。另外，如上所 述，凹部2 0爲平滑弧形成形，提供抓握時的舒適觸感， 然而，凹部2 0亦可倂設脊或其他增加摩擦的構造，以降 低抓握杯子1 〇時之滑手。最後的優點，凹部2 0爲抓握容 器提供最舒適的點’因它們係側壁1 8最強的點，如上所 述。 當杯子1 〇在使用者手中時，環狀肩部22的弧形部 2 3和下部2 6的斜面部2 7將杯子1 0穩定，此爲另一優點 ，這種當杯子1 0在使用者手中時將杯子1 0穩定的裝置在 增加杯子1 0商業吸引力時是需要的，弧形部2 3可用來增 加穩定性，其係藉由使用者在握住杯子1 0時將一指尖置 於弧形部23下方，當指尖（最好是小指或無名指）置於 弧形部2 3下方時，環狀肩部2 2位於指尖頂端，讓指尖能 對環狀肩部2 2施加垂直力和旋轉力矩。斜面部2 7爲指尖 提供接觸表面，進一步增加杯子1 0穩定性。這些特徵讓 使用者在杯子1 0上有更好的抓握，並維持對杯子1 0的較 大控制，特別是使用者手滑掉或不小心被碰到時（諸如在 擁擠的派對上）。 本發明可實施於眾多容器構造的其中任何一種，其僅 由申請專利範圍來限制，本發明的一替代實施例被預期， 及請求，其中環狀肩部122，222不需有任何弧形部，一 般而言，替代實施例容器爲一熱成形飮料杯1 1 〇，2 1 0， 其包括由一環緣1 1 4，2 1 4界定的一開口頂部1 1 2，2 1 2、 一基部1 1 6，2 1 6、以及在頂部1 1 2，2 1 2與基部1 1 6，2 1 6 -21 - (18) 1288619 之間延伸的一側壁1 1 8，2 1 8。側壁1 1 8，2 1 8 —般有多個 凹部120，220、位於凹部120，220與基部116，216之 間的一環狀肩部丨22，222、以及在環狀肩部122 ’ 222與 基部1 1 6，2 1 6之間延伸的一下部1 2 6，2 2 6，凹部1 2 0， 2 2 0末端在環狀肩部1 2 2，2 2 2。如上所述及所示’替代實 施例的側壁1 1 8，2 1 8的凹部1 2 0，2 2 0數目爲1 一 2 0個’ 側壁1 18，218最好有一或多個環狀肋124，128 ’ 22， 228，這些環狀肋124，128，224，228的任何一者可包括 數目等於凹部1 2 0，2 2 0的彎曲部1 25，各彎曲部1 2 5對 齊一個凹部1 2 0，如圖1 4 — 1 7所示，其中杯子1 1 〇有二 凹部120，而肋124有二彎曲部125。另外，側壁Π8， 218下部126，226可有數目等於凹部120，220的斜面部 127，各斜面部127對齊一凹部120 ,如圖14和15所示 ’其中杯子有二凹部120，而下部126有二斜面部127。 此替代實施例的二特定形式經發現有其優點，第一個 替代實施例與較佳實施例幾乎完全相同，除了沒有弧形部 之外，如圖1 4 — 1 9所示。第二個替代實施例則類似地沒 有弧形部，但有多個凹部2 2 0，如圖2 0 - 2 3所示，這些 實施例將輪流討論。 第一個替代實施例容器，如圖1 4 - 1 9所示，一般爲熱 成开^飮料杯，其包括由一圓形環緣1 1 4界定的一開口頂部 1 1 2、~基部1 1 6、以及在頂部1 1 2與基部1 1 6之間延伸 的一側壁1 1 8。如同較佳實施例，側壁丨丨8有二縱向弧形 成形凹部1 200、位於凹部120與基部116之間的一環狀 -22- (19) 1288619 肩部1 22、以及三個環狀肋1 24，12 8。此實施例包括 狀肩部1 22與基部1 1 6之間延伸的一下部1 26，下咅| 有對齊縱向凹部120的二斜面部127，凹部120末端 狀肩部1 22。第一個替代實施例容器的一項主要不同 於，如上所述，環狀肩部1 22無弧形部，第二的主要 處在於基部1 1 6、基部凹部1 3 2、下部1 2 6、以及環 部1 22 —般爲橢圓形，與較佳實施例的圓形不同。此 形有二好處，第一個是藉由增加靠近凹部1 20處的曲 徑而增加強度和結構完整性，第二個是，如上所述， 形爲確保正確套合的另一種裝置。雖然並非較佳，第 替代實施例提供了多個與本發明較佳實施例相同的優 第二個替代實施例容器，如圖20 — 2 3所示，一 爲熱成形飮料杯2 1 0，其包括由一環緣2 1 4界定的一 頂部2 1 2、有一圓形基部凹部2 3 2的一基部2 1 6、以 頂部2 1 2與基部2 1 6之間延伸的一側壁2 1 8。側壁2 在環狀肩部222與基部216之間延伸的一下部22 6以 個環狀肋224，22 8，凹部220末端在環狀肩部222。 個替代賓施例容器的一項主要不同處在於側壁2 1 8有 個弧形成形縱向凹部220，其數目一般爲2 — 12個， 好爲1 2個，如圖2 2所示。在另一實施例中，杯子】 部20多達20個，然而凹部22 0數目不被本發明範圍 ’除非淸楚表明限制，而且僅由技術和實際性限制。 要者，凹部數目取決於容器尺寸和凹部寬度。此實施 環狀肩部2 22最好無弧形部，且下部226無斜面部。 ί在環 5 126 ί在環 處在 不同 狀肩 橢圓 $半： 橢圓 一個 點。 般亦 開口 及在 18有 及三 第二 較多 但最 0凹 限制 更重 例的 -23- (20) 1288619 第二個替代實施例容器中的大數目縱向凹部220好處 有三個理由，第一個是側壁2 1 8因有大數目凹部220而增 加強度和結構完整性，間隔小的凹部2 2 0迅速打散傳到側 壁1 8的任何能量，其速度之快使得側壁2 1 8在任何位置 ''給予"很小的壓力。第二個理由是凹部220提供符合人 體工學多樣性，給予使用者很多個握住杯子2 1 0的可能位 置。第三個理由係，如上所述，在薄壁容器使用多個凹部 220爲確保容器彼此正確套合的裝置。雖然並非較佳，第 二個替代實施例提供了多個與本發明較佳實施例相同的優 點，以及一些其他優點。 本發明之發展主要是用於熱成形杯子，然而，本發明 的原理在應用到多種其;他型式的容器時有其好處，在由任 何型式聚合物製成的飮料杯時，諸如透明、不透明、或彩 色塑膠或發泡材可依據本發明來使用，如同由非聚合材料 製成的許多杯子，杯子以外的許多其他型式的容器亦可經 由使用所揭示的特徵而得到好處。 雖然已經揭示和說明特定實施例，在不偏離本發明的 精神下仍可有許多變化，因此本發明之範圍僅由後附申請 專利範圍界定。 【圖式簡單說明】 構成說明書一部分的所附圖式中以相同標號標示相同 元件。 圖1爲本發明較佳實施例的一杯子立體圖； -24- (21) 1288619 圖2爲圖1中杯子的側視圖； 圖3爲圖1中杯子側視圖，由圖2旋轉90度； 圖4爲圖1中杯子俯視平面圖； 圖5爲圖1中杯子底視圖； 圖6爲圖1中杯子沿圖4中1 — 1線所取剖面圖； 圖7爲圖1中杯子沿圖4中2 — 2線所取剖面圖；While the above features are preferred, the recess 20 can be any of a variety of different shapes. For example, the recess 20 is preferably a longitudinal arc, but these features are not required and the degree or smoothness of the recess 20 can vary. Moreover, the lower portion 21 is not required, or the recess 20 does not need to be concave, and is deep concave and slightly convex curve near the edge of the recess 20. The surface of the recess 20 may have ridges or protrusions (such as pattern letters) to enhance grip, rather than smoothing. Alternatively, the recess 20 can be anywhere on the side wall 18, not necessarily at the annular shoulder 22, the recess 20 can be completely above the annular shoulder 22, or can extend through the annular shoulder 22 and into the base 16. Finally, the number of recesses 20 of the cup 10 can be any, and in the above discussed embodiment, the cup 10 has up to 20 or more recesses 20, which have a dual purpose to provide the user with ergonomics. The gripping surface, as discussed below, significantly increases the strength and stiffness of the sidewalls 18. The annular shoulder 2 2 is present between the recess 20 and the base 16, as shown in Figures 2-11 - (8) 1288619, 5, and 8, the annular shoulder 2 2 is generally circular 'in the recess 2 Except for the near curved portion 23. Alternatively, the annular shoulder 22 can have other shapes such as an elliptical shape in one embodiment. Preferably, the recess 20 is entirely on the opposite side of the annular shoulder 22 like the base portion 16, and the end of the recess 20 is at the annular shoulder, in other words, the recess 20 is only on the side of the annular shoulder 2 2 and the recess 20 is in the recess 20 is in contact with the annular shoulder 22. However, as described above, the 'portion 20 can pass through the annular shoulder 22 such that the shoulder 22 is still considered to extend between the recess and the base 16 as long as the recess 20 is partially at the side of the shoulder 22 opposite the base 16 . In the cup 10 shown in Figures IX, the shoulder 22 includes two arcuate portions 23 that align with the two recesses 20, and the shoulders 22 can include any number of curved portions, and preferably the shoulders 22 correspond to each of the recesses 20 There is an arc portion 23. In an alternative embodiment, as described below, the shoulder portion 22 has no curved portion 23, and the shape portion 23 is preferably smoothly curved with a sharp transition portion 3 between each curved portion 23 and the remainder of the annular shoulder portion 22. 6, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 8. However, this is not a main feature. For example, the arc portion 23 shown in Figs. 11 and 13 has a pointed transition region 36 and is polygonal in shape, and the curved portion 23 shown in Fig. 26 and has a smooth transition region 3 6 and smooth curved shape. The shape 23 can also be square, rectangular or any other shape that achieves the functions described herein. In addition, the curved portion 23 does not need to be aligned with the recess, but may be located elsewhere in the shoulder portion 22, such as from the recess 20 around the circumference 90 of the side wall 18. Finally, the annular shoulder 22 is preferably separated by a full base 16 of the lower portion 26 of the side wall 18, however, the annular shoulder 22 can be at the bottom of the side wall 18, connecting the side wall 18 to the base 16 and the lower portion 6 6 Then there is no or part 22 end recess 20 reverse part 23 in the arc of its shape 27 arc its shape and straight only (9) 1288619 discontinuity exists in the annular shoulder 2 2 rises to form the curved part 2 3 ' As shown in Fig. 25, in other words, the annular shoulder 22 can be the entire or partial abutment of the base shoulder 34 that connects the side wall 18 to the base 16. The cup 1 side wall 18 shown in Figures 1-9 has a lower portion 26 that separates the annular shoulder 22 from the base portion 16. The lower portion 26 includes two slanted portions 27 that align with the recess 20, and the lower portion 26 is generally annular or cylindrical. Preferably, and preferably having a conical or flared shape relative to the remainder of the side wall 18, generally a plurality of cups 10 are provided with a fitting means, in other words, the diameter of the lower portion 26 adjacent the annular shoulder 22 is slightly smaller than at the base 16 The diameter of the place. 5 and 8 are generally circular, but the lower portion 26 can have a different shape. In one embodiment, the lower portion 126 is elliptical. The lower portion 26 is typically stiffer than the remainder of the side wall 18 because the annular shoulder 22 and the base shoulder 34 add strength to the lower portion 26. Finally, as described above and as shown in Fig. 25, the lower portion 26 may be completely absent or only present under the arcuate portion 23 of the annular shoulder 22, if the annular shoulder 22 abuts the base shoulder portion 34 in whole or in part. . Preferably, the lower portion 6 6 has a slanted surface portion 2 7 adjacent to and aligned with the annular portion 2 2 of the annular portion 2 2 and the recess portion 2 0, and the inclined portion 2 7 can have any number or no slant portion 2 7 However, it is preferable that the lower portion 2 6 has a slope portion 27 corresponding to each of the recesses 20. The ramp portion 2 7 preferably extends from the base portion to the annular shoulder portion 2 2 , but the slope portion 27 can extend only to a portion of the distance between the base portion 16 and the annular shoulder portion 2 2 . In a preferred container, the ramp portion 27 is concavely curved, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, but this is not a primary feature. For example, the ramp portion 27 can be flat as shown in Figures 26 and 27, or The convex shape is curved, or may have other forms such as a polygon. Alternatively, the base and lower portion may be elliptical to have a beveled face with -13-(10) 1288619 without any obtuse angle. Finally, if the arc is aligned with the recess 20, the slope portion 27 can be aligned with the curved portion 23 or both. The cup 10 preferably has a stack of shoulders that are generally used to lift 10 sets. It is well known to use a variety of stacked shoulders in a thermoformed cup. The stacked shoulders can provide multiple stacks in a variety of ways, by The lower cup 10 applies a point contact to provide support to the upper cup 10 of the lower 2, and the rapid change of the diameter of the cup formed by the stacked shoulders causes a point contact between the upper cup 42 and the inner surface 40 of the lower cup 10 A stack of shoulder tops 12, a base 16, or another cup provides direct vertical support. Alternatively, the point contact may utilize the friction between the two walls 18 to provide support rather than direct support. In the preferred embodiment, the annular shoulder 22 functions as one such feature as seen in, for example, Figure 23, wherein when a cup of 210 sets of the same cup 2 1 0, the base 2 16 - is partially located at the annular shoulder 240. As shown, the opposite thinning of the lower portion 226 facilitates a stacking device that has a base portion 216 that is larger in diameter than the annular shoulder, and the cup 10 can have a stacking shoulder at another, as if. The stacking shoulders can be placed close to the top 1 2 of the cup 10, as shown in Figure 24, the portion 46 acts as a stacking shoulder. Although the reversed upper portion 4 of the cup shown in Fig. 24 helps to provide a stacking device, the upper side is tapered to function effectively. Other methods of using stacked shoulders to provide a sub- 1 〇 stacking device are well known in the industry. The portion 2 3 has no jaws 20 or a plurality of cups for the manufacturing of the cups, the cups, the cups, the cups, the inner surfaces of the stacked piles, and the stacking shoulders of the stacking shoulder cups 10, for example, A more effective portion 222 is provided on the inner surface of the second phase 222, or as shown by those skilled in the art, the upper shoulder 1 〇 includes the phase portion 4 8 does not require multiple nesting cups-14- (11) 1288619 A plurality of annular ribs 2, 28 are added to increase the strength, as shown in Figures 1-3. In the preferred embodiment, the side walls 18 have three annular ribs 2 4, 2 8 : two spaced apart from the top 1 2 The small ribs 2 8 and a central rib 24 at the top end of the recess 20, the central rib 24 preferably includes two curved portions 25 of the aligned recess 20, and if a different number of recesses 20 are present, the ribs 2 4 preferably correspond to each other. The recess 20 has a curved portion 25, or does not necessarily have a curved portion 25, and particularly the rib 2 4 is located close to the top 1 2 of the cup 10 but is not bent around the top end of the recess 20. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewer ribs 2 4, 28. 6 and 7, the side wall 108 has an inner surface 40 and an outer surface 42, the cup 10 element is mostly located on the outer surface 42, and the inner surface 40 includes a boss 44 which is sized to fit the curved portion 23. Thus, when the second container is placed in the first container, the boss 44 is assembled in the arcuate portion 23 of the second identical container. In the thin-walled thermoformed cup 1 ,, such as the preferred embodiment 'When the side wall 18 is bent to form the curved portion 23, the boss 44 is formed on the opposite surface of the inner surface 40 of the side wall 18, by In the preferred embodiment, the curved portion 23 and the boss 44 are easily formed in almost the same size, and in the thick-walled container, the boss 44 may be configured to be separated from the curved portion 23. A device for aligning the boss 44 and the curved portion 23 to ensure proper fitting of the two cups 1 . This device for ensuring proper fitting is a very important part of the thermoformed cup industry. 'Standard cylindrical thermoformed cup fits easily Because they are all rotationally symmetrical, that is, no matter how the cup rotates around a central longitudinal axis, it always looks the same. In addition, if the cup has asymmetric sidewall features, such as vertical ribs, recesses, or embossing, the fit will be easy if the asymmetry characteristic depth is less than the air gap between the two nested cups. However, the addition of the deeper -15-(12) 1288619 recess 20 destroys this rotational symmetry, and the cups i ο random recesses 20 do not naturally align with each other, making the nesting difficult, as a result of ensuring the correct fit of the device A pile of all the cups 1 are tightly nested together. Aligning the boss 44 with the curved portion 23 is required to position the upper 10' locking yoke when the cup 10 is stacked on a lower cup 10, thereby preventing the upper cup 10 from rotating and thus becoming. In order to achieve this function, only a single boss 44 and a single curved portion plus the number of the bosses 44 and the curved portions 23 increase the number of the nesting positions, and the outer sleeves are evenly spaced along the circumference of the side walls 18. Hehe. Another means of ensuring proper fit is to form the base 1 16 , the lower, and the annular shoulder 22 in an elliptical shape rather than a circular shape, as indicated. Unlike the best rotationally symmetric circle, the ellipse does not symmetry on the same circle, so when the cup 110 has an elliptical bottom, the elliptical shape increases each cup 1 1 0 symmetrically aligned next cup 1 is the cup 1 1 0 will not be assembled correctly unless they are physically aligned. However, the use of the elliptical base 1 16 is less effective than the use of the curved portion 2 3 44 in ensuring proper fit, and other factors may prefer to use the elliptical base 1 16 . A third device for ensuring proper nesting uses more recesses that are continuously spaced apart from the outer surface 2 4 2 of the side wall 2 1 8 , and the depth of the protrusion 2 10 is deeper than the recess 220 of the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20 . - the protrusions of the recesses 220 on the inner surface 240 of the side walls 2 are formed. When the cups 210 are stacked, the ridges 24 3 will be located in the recesses 220: when stacked, this requires tight symmetry. If the system is between 1 〇 126 126 Ε 15 rotating ellipsoid stack 10, because the upper and the boss are more than 220, to the cup - 23, ridge 243, such as -16- (13) 1288619 Figure 23 Shown. The plurality of recesses 220, which are equally spaced around the circumference of the side walls 21 8 , provide a plurality of different positions for proper nesting, and thus, a small amount of manual operation may be required to properly fit the cup 210. Unlike the first two correct fittings, ''forcing the cup to one of the few correct fit positions, the third device' by allowing the cup 2 1 0 to fit correctly in multiple different positions', allows The cup 2 1 0 is properly nested, but other means of ensuring proper nesting still exist. The present invention has the conventional advantage of limiting the movement and wear of the cup 10 during manufacture, as described above, the action of the cup 10 during manufacture and Rotation may cause the cups 10 to rub against each other, ensuring that the correct fit also limits the cups 10 from rotating inside each other during manufacture, as if the cups 1 are stacked together for commercial or private use. Once the cups 10, the locks are in the correct fit position, they do not rotate or rub together inside each other, so that the correct nesting device provides additional benefits in the manufacture of the thermoformed cup 10 with the longitudinal recess 20. . Many of the features of the sidewalls 18 increase the strength and stiffness of the sidewalls 8, allowing the sidewalls 18 to be made thinner, thereby posing a risk of weight and cost. The use of thickened rims 14, annular ribs 24, 28, and annular shoulders 22 to increase strength and stiffness is well known in the art, and the present invention achieves via the use of recesses 20 in side walls 18 and these known devices. With higher strength and stiffness, the longitudinal recess 20 assists in increasing the stiffness by transferring the energy of the side wall 1 $ by the external force (in this case, the user's hand), by breaking up the transmitted energy and preventing the flow through the side wall. 18. The recess 20 limits the side wall 18, giving an area of response to the force, thereby increasing strength and stiffness. It has been found that the longitudinal recess 20, such as the user of the present invention, 17-(14) 1288619, can increase the strength if it is formed by a concave arc, so that the longitudinal recess 20 of the cup 10 is preferably concave. Formed. The increase in strength and hardness will resist the internal deflection of the container, which will limit the volume of the container and cause an unpleasant outflow of fluid, which is deflected by the inner wall when exhibiting the increased strength and structural integrity of the present invention and its embodiments. The difference in thermoplastic thickness of these containers compared to standard round thermoformed cups is negligible and is generally estimated to be 1 0 - 4 0 mi 1 . The results of the analysis are obtained through a standardized procedure in the thermoformed container boundary, which is described later, and the results are shown in Tables I and Π. Preferred materials for use in this standardized procedure include (1) a plurality of standard circular thermoformed cups, (2) a plurality of cups having longitudinal recesses 20 as described in the preferred embodiment of the invention, (3) Chatillon (registered trademark) DFGS digital force meter, (4) Chatillon (registered trademark) TCD-200 tensile and compression tester, (5) container hardness fixture, and (6) Chatillon (registered trademark) AutoTest (trademark) software. This standardized procedure involves equipment setup and analysis, in particular, (1) horizontal assembly of the container hardness fixture on the compression tester, and (2) alignment of the container mounting fixture to allow for two-thirds of the height of the container (in use) The most common grip is to test the deflection, (3) to reset the appropriate instrument to zero, (4) to set the deflection limit per quarter inch, and (5) to set the travel speed of the deflection device. In addition, the analysis sidewall 18 deflection includes (1) placing the first sample into the container mounting fixture, (2) slowly lowering the force gauge onto the sample, and (3) deflecting the sample sidewall 18 by four points. When one of the miles (the limit is limited), the maximum force of the force meter is read and recorded. This procedure can be analyzed and studied -18-(15) 1288619 M It if necessary. Please note that the test system described above is for thermoformed cups with a nominal capacity of 18 plates. Different sizes of containers can be used with different forces. Testing 'other containers of the same size are expected to have similar results. Table 1 includes the data obtained by testing the deflection at point A (Fig. 3), point A is at the side wall 18, which is at the height of two-thirds of the cup 10 and between the two recesses 20, and the average container weight 〃 For the weight of the two sets of containers, similarly the 'A average container force' is the average force of the quarter of the container side wall deflected by a quarter inch, which is determined by the amount, the average container force divided by The average container weight 'final, 値 change 〃 shows the increase in force/weight ratio achieved by the present invention. Table I: Point A on the side wall Container type Average container weight Average container force ratio 値 値 change standard 0.4 6 2 ounces 1 6.2 plates 3 5.1 N/A Example 0.473 ounces 1 7.4 plates 36.8 1 .7 This data is reflected The present invention provides a significant improvement in the structural integrity of the body of the sidewall 10 of the present invention. The present invention increases the force/weight ratio by 4.8% compared to the standard cup. (1.7-3 5.1 ) X 1 00 % = 4.8% Thus, using the disclosed construction of the container, including alternative embodiments, generally increases the strength and structural integrity at any point on the side wall 18, and the increase in strength can be increased from a little (3 - 4 % ) to a large increase, depending on the specific characteristics of the cup 1 (especially the number, size, position, and depth of the recess 20) and the test -19-(16) . 1288619 points. The most significant increase is in the recess 20 itself, Table II is the data for testing the deflection at point B (Fig. 2), point B is in the longitudinal recess 20 of the side wall 18, which is two-thirds the height of the cup 1 At the centerline of the recess 20, the structural integrity of the side wall 18 at the recess 20 is more important because the cup 1 design is designed to apply pressure to the recess 20 when the user grips the cup 1 . Table II: Point B on the side wall · Container type Average container weight Average container force ratio 値 値 change standard 0.462 ounces 16.3 ounces 35.3 N/A Example 0.473 ounces 24.0 ounces 5 0.7 15.4 This data reflects the apparent structural integrity of the present invention Improvements, the present invention and its embodiments have a significant increase in structural integrity as the force/weight ratio 値 is increased by 4 3 · 6 %. (15.4^35.3) xlOO% = 43.6% Thus, using the disclosed construction of the container, including alternative embodiments, increases strength and structural integrity in the recess 20, the strength increase can vary from a little to large, depending on the side wall features (especially It depends on the characteristics of the recess 20). Another advantage of the recess 20 is to provide the user with an ergonomic gripping surface for gripping the cup 1 〇 which is superior to a more rounded gauge. The curved surface provided by the recess 20 provides a plurality of comforts for the hand. In the position, in addition, the recess 20 enhances the gripping effect of the fingertip, and has a minimum contact area between the fingertip and the cup 10, and when the cup 1 〇 contains an uncomfortable cold sputum, the limiting cup -20 - (17) 1288619 There is a benefit to the heat transfer between the child 1 and the user's hand. In addition, as described above, the recess 20 is formed in a smooth arc shape to provide a comfortable touch when gripping, however, the recess 20 may also be provided with a ridge or other friction-increasing configuration to reduce the grip of the cup 1 Slipper. The last advantage is that the recesses 20 provide the most comfortable points for the gripping containers' because they are the strongest points of the side walls 18, as described above. When the cup 1 is placed in the user's hand, the curved portion 2 3 of the annular shoulder 22 and the inclined portion 27 of the lower portion 26 stabilize the cup 10, which is another advantage, when the cup 10 is in use The device that stabilizes the cup 10 in the hand is needed to increase the commercial appeal of the cup 10, and the curved portion 23 can be used to increase stability by the user having one finger when holding the cup 10 The tip is placed below the curved portion 23, and when the fingertip (preferably the little finger or the ring finger) is placed under the curved portion 23, the annular shoulder 22 is located at the top of the fingertip so that the fingertip can be opposite the annular shoulder 2 2 Apply vertical force and rotational moment. The beveled surface 2 7 provides a contact surface for the fingertip, further increasing the stability of the cup 10. These features allow the user to have a better grip on the cup 10 and maintain greater control over the cup 10, especially if the user's hand slips or is accidentally touched (such as at a crowded party) . The present invention can be implemented in any of a wide variety of container configurations, which are limited only by the scope of the patent application, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is contemplated, and claimed, wherein the annular shoulders 122, 222 do not require any curved portions. In general, the alternative embodiment container is a thermoformed cup 1 1 〇, 2 1 0, which includes an open top 1 1 2, 2 1 2, a base defined by a rim 1 1 4, 2 1 4 1 1 6, 2 1 6 and a side wall 1 18, 2 1 8 extending between the top 1 1 2, 2 1 2 and the base 1 1 6, 2 1 6 - 21 - (18) 1288619. The side walls 1 18, 2 1 8 generally have a plurality of recesses 120, 220, an annular shoulder 22, 222 between the recesses 120, 220 and the bases 116, 216, and an annular shoulder 122' 222 The lower portion 1 2 6, 2 2 6 extending between the base portion 1 1 6 , 2 1 6 , the end of the recess 1 2 0, 2 2 0 at the annular shoulder portion 1 2 2, 2 2 2 . The number of recesses 1 2 0, 2 2 0 of the side walls 1 18, 2 1 8 of the 'alternative embodiment' as described above and illustrated is 1 to 20 'side walls 1 18, 218 preferably having one or more annular ribs 124, 128 ' 22, 228, any of these annular ribs 124, 128, 224, 228 may include a number of bends 152 equal to the recess 1 2 0, 2 2 0, each bend 1 2 5 being aligned with a recess 1 2 0, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, wherein the cup 1 1 has two recesses 120 and the ribs 124 have two curved portions 125. In addition, the side walls ,8, 218 lower portions 126, 226 may have a number of sloped portions 127 equal to the recesses 120, 220, and each of the sloped portions 127 is aligned with a recess 120, as shown in Figures 14 and 15 wherein the cup has two recesses 120 and the lower portion 126 There are two inclined faces 127. The two specific forms of this alternative embodiment have been found to have advantages. The first alternative embodiment is almost identical to the preferred embodiment except that there is no curved portion, as shown in Figures 14-19. The second alternative embodiment similarly has no curved portion, but has a plurality of recesses 2 2 0, as shown in Figures 20 - 23, and these embodiments will be discussed in turn. A first alternative embodiment container, as shown in Figures 14-19, is generally a hot-opening cup comprising an open top defined by a circular rim 1 1 4 1 2 to a base 1 1 6 and a side wall 1 18 extending between the top 1 1 2 and the base 1 16 . As a preferred embodiment, the side wall 丨丨 8 has two longitudinal arc-forming recesses 1 200, an annular -22-(19) 1288619 shoulder 1 22 between the recess 120 and the base 116, and three annular ribs. 1 24,12 8. This embodiment includes a lower portion 1 26 extending between the shoulder portion 1 22 and the base portion 1 16 . The lower jaw has a beveled portion 127 that aligns the longitudinal recess 120 and an end portion 1 22 of the recess 120. One of the first alternative embodiment containers differs primarily from that, as described above, the annular shoulder 1 22 has no arcuate portion, the second is primarily at the base portion 116, the base recess portion 1 3 2, and the lower portion 1 2 6 And the ring portion 1 22 is generally elliptical, unlike the circular shape of the preferred embodiment. This shape has two advantages. The first is to increase strength and structural integrity by increasing the radius near the recess 120, and the second is, as described above, another device that ensures proper fit. Although not preferred, the alternative embodiment provides a plurality of preferred second alternative embodiment containers, as shown in Figures 20-23, one for the thermoformed cup 2 1 0, It comprises a top portion 2 1 2 defined by a rim 2 1 4, a base portion 2 16 having a circular base recess 2 3 2 , and a side wall 2 1 8 extending between the top portion 2 1 2 and the base portion 2 16 . . The lower portion 22 of the side wall 2 extending between the annular shoulder 222 and the base 216 is terminated by an annular rib 224, 22, and the recess 220 is at the annular shoulder 222. One major difference between the alternative embodiment containers is that the side walls 218 have arc-shaped longitudinal recesses 220, which are generally 2-12, preferably 12, as shown in Fig. 22. In another embodiment, there are as many as 20 cups 20, however the number of recesses 22 is not intended to be in the scope of the invention, unless otherwise indicated, and only by technical and practical limitations. The number of recesses depends on the size of the container and the width of the recess. This embodiment of the annular shoulder 2 22 preferably has no curved portion and the lower portion 226 has no beveled surface. ί in the ring 5 126 ί in the ring in different shoulders ellipse $half: ellipse One point. There are three reasons for the benefits of a large number of longitudinal recesses 220 in a second alternative embodiment container, as well as opening and having a second and more zero recessed weight limit in 18 and (3) 1288619. The sidewalls 2 18 are increased in strength and structural integrity due to the large number of recesses 220, and the closely spaced recesses 2 2 0 quickly dissipate any energy transmitted to the sidewalls 18 at a speed such that the sidewalls 2 18 are at any The location ''given" is a small pressure. The second reason is that the recess 220 provides ergonomic diversity, giving the user a number of possible positions to hold the cup 210. The third reason is that, as described above, a plurality of recesses 220 are used in the thin-walled container to ensure that the containers are properly fitted to each other. Although not preferred, the second alternative embodiment provides the same advantages as the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as well as some other advantages. The developments of the present invention are primarily for thermoforming cups, however, the principles of the present invention are applicable to a variety of them; their type of container has the benefit of being transparent, opaque in a cup made of any type of polymer. Or colored plastic or foamed materials can be used in accordance with the present invention, as are many cups made of non-polymeric materials, and many other types of containers other than cups can also benefit from the use of the disclosed features. While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cup according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; -24- (21) 1288619 Figure 2 is a side view of the cup of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the cup of Figure 1, rotated 90 degrees from Figure 2; 4 is a top plan view of the cup of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cup of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cup of FIG. 1 taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 2 - 2 line taken profile view;
圖8爲圖1中杯子底部立體放大圖，顯示環狀肩部和 弧形部； 圖9爲圖1中杯子套合在另一個相同杯子且沿圖4中 2 - 2線所取部分剖面圖； 圖1 0爲本發明替代較佳實施例的杯子立體圖，其有 銳角弧形部和內凹彎曲斜面部； 圖1 1爲圖1 0中杯子的側視圖； 圖1 2爲圖1 〇中杯子俯視平面圖；Figure 8 is a perspective enlarged view of the bottom of the cup of Figure 1, showing the annular shoulder and the curved portion; Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cup of Figure 1 nested in another identical cup and taken along line 2 - 2 of Figure 4; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a cup according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, having an acute curved portion and a concave curved inclined portion; Figure 11 is a side view of the cup of Figure 10; Figure 1 is a Figure 1 The top view of the cup;
圖13爲圖1〇中杯子底部立體放大圖，顯示環狀肩部 和弧形部； 圖1 4爲本發明另一替代較佳實施例的杯子立體圖， 其有橢»基部且無弧形部； 圖1 5爲圖1 4中杯子的底視圖； 圖1 6爲圖1 4中杯子的側視圖； 圖1 7爲圖1 4中杯子側視圖，由圖1 6旋轉9 0度； 圖1 8爲圖1 4中杯子沿圖1 5中3 一 3線所取剖面圖； 圖1 9爲圖1 4中杯子沿圖1 5中4 一 4線所取剖面圖； 圖2 〇爲本發明另一替代較佳實施例的杯子立體圖， -25- (22) 1288619 其有橢圓基部且無弧形部； 圖21爲圖20中杯子的側視圖； 圖22爲圖20中杯子的底視圖； 圖23爲圖2〇中杯子套合在另一個相同杯子的斷面剖 面圖； 圖2 4爲有一上肩部和一倒錐狀上部的套合在另一個 相同杯子的斷面剖面圖； 圖2 5爲有一凹部和一弧形部的杯子底部的斷面側視 圖，其中環狀肩部部分鄰接基部肩部； 圖26爲本發明又一替代較佳實施例的杯子立體圖， 其中斜面部爲平坦，且肩部和弧形部之間平滑；以及 圖27爲圖26中杯子底部放大圖，顯示環狀肩部和弧 形部。 主要元件對照表 1〇 熱成形杯子 12 開口頂部 13 開口 14 環緣 16 基部 U 側壁 2〇 凹部 21 低處 22 環狀肩部 -26- (23) (23)1288619 2 3 弧形部 24 環肋部 2 5 彎曲部 26 下部 2 7 斜面部 28 環狀肋 30 斜緣 32 圓形凹部 34 基部肩部 36 過渡部 40 內表面 4 2 外表面 44 凸台 4 6 上肩部 48 上部 1 1 0杯子 112頂部 1 1 4環緣 1 1 6基部 1 1 8側壁 1 2 0凹部 122環狀肩部 124環狀肋 1 2 5彎曲部 -27 (24) (24)1288619 1 2 6下部 1 2 7斜面部 1 2 8環狀肋 1 3 2基部凹部 2 1 0杯子 2 1 2頂部 2 1 4環緣 2 1 6基部 2 1 8側壁 220凹部 222環狀肩部 2 2 4環緣 2 2 6下部 2 2 8環狀肋 2 4 0內表面 2 4 2外表面 243 脊Figure 13 is a perspective enlarged view of the bottom of the cup of Figure 1 showing the annular shoulder and the curved portion; Figure 14 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention having an ellipse» base and no curved portion Figure 15 is a bottom view of the cup of Figure 14. Figure 6 is a side view of the cup of Figure 14. Figure 7 is a side view of the cup of Figure 14 rotated by 90 degrees from Figure 16. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cup of FIG. 14 taken along line 3 - 3 of FIG. 15; FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the cup of FIG. 14 taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 15; Another alternative preferred embodiment of the cup perspective view, -25-(22) 1288619 having an elliptical base and no curved portion; Figure 21 is a side view of the cup of Figure 20; Figure 22 is a bottom view of the cup of Figure 20; Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of the cup of Figure 2 in another identical cup; Figure 24 is a cross-sectional view of the same cup having an upper shoulder and an inverted tapered upper portion; 25 is a cross-sectional side view of the bottom of the cup having a recess and an arc, wherein the annular shoulder portion abuts the base shoulder; FIG. 26 is still another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention A perspective view of the cup, wherein the inclined surface portion is flat and smooth between the shoulder and the arcuate portion; and FIG. 27 is an enlarged bottom cup in FIG. 26 showing the arcuate portion and the annular shoulder. Main components comparison table 1 〇 thermoformed cup 12 open top 13 opening 14 rim 16 base U side wall 2 〇 recess 21 lower 22 annular shoulder -26- (23) (23) 1288619 2 3 curved portion 24 ring rib Part 2 5 Bending 26 Lower part 2 7 Inclined face 28 Annular rib 30 Beveled edge 32 Circular recess 34 Base shoulder 36 Transition part 40 Inner surface 4 2 Outer surface 44 Boss 4 6 Upper shoulder 48 Upper 1 1 0 cup 112 top 1 1 4 ring edge 1 1 6 base 1 1 8 side wall 1 2 0 recessed portion 122 annular shoulder 124 annular rib 1 2 5 curved portion -27 (24) (24) 1288619 1 2 6 lower 1 2 7 bevel Part 1 2 8 annular rib 1 3 2 base recess 2 1 0 cup 2 1 2 top 2 1 4 rim 2 1 6 base 2 1 8 side wall 220 recess 222 annular shoulder 2 2 4 rim 2 2 6 lower 2 2 8 annular rib 2 4 0 inner surface 2 4 2 outer surface 243 ridge